by The NRA-ILA has just released information on two concealed carry bills that are due to be introduced into the Wisconsin legislature. One will allow a Vermont or Arizona style constitutional carry. The other is a “shall issue” concealed carry permit.
Wisconsin: The 2011 Personal Protection Act Has Arrived!
Committee Hearings Have Been Scheduled for Next Thursday!Thursday, May 05, 2011
Now is Time for You to Act!
The good citizens of Wisconsin have been denied their right to self-defense for too long and the time has now come to make the Personal Protection Act a reality! It is time that Wisconsin joins Free America and the 48 other states with concealed carry laws. The bills have been circulated for sponsorship and it is critical that you contact your state Representative and state Senator to urge them to cosponsor this legislation.
There are two bills being introduced in the 2011 legislative session that allow Wisconsinites to carry concealed weapons for personal protection. The first is known as “permitless carry” and it simply eliminates the current prohibition against law-abiding citizens carrying concealed firearms. Many citizens already carry openly and this will allow them to conceal their firearms. It also eliminates the “cased and unloaded” requirement for handguns in motor vehicles. State Senator Pam Galloway (R-Wausau) has introduced this bill in the Senate and there is currently no companion bill in the Assembly. Its designation before assigned a bill number is LRB 2007 and both senators and representatives are able to cosponsor it.
The second is a “shall issue” carry license bill that allows Wisconsinites to obtain a license from the state Department of Justice (DOJ) in order to carry a concealed weapon. This license bill offers some additional benefits. These include the ability to use the license to carry a concealed weapon in many other states while traveling and the ability to carry concealed weapons in school zones (1000-foot area surrounding school grounds). These zones are prolific and it is virtually impossible to navigate populated areas without entering them while engaging in routine activities. The federal penalty for a school zone violation is up to five years in prison and a fine. State Senator Pam Galloway (R-Wausau) and state Representative Jeffrey Mursau (R-Crivitz) are the sponsors of this bill. The current Senate Bill designation is LRB 2027 and the Assembly Bill is LRB 2033.
When contacting your state legislators to request that they cosponsor the Personal Protection Act, please also ask them to oppose any amendments that restrict your ability to defend yourself or place unnecessary hurdles in the process required to obtain a concealed weapons license. Too many legislators are acting as if there are not 48 other states with such concealed carry laws and that there is no way of determining what works and what does not. The time for guessing has ended!
We have provided two documents that will further inform you about this fight for your rights. One is a summary of the bills, with details regarding the “shall issue” carry license bill, and the other is a comprehensive Questions and Answers document
A search of the Wisconsin legislature’s website does not yet list either bill. I believe that is because they are being circulated to obtain sponsors and co-sponsors.
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Yeah. This is why they are listed as LRB (Legislative Reference Bureau) documents. They haven't been introduced on the floor, as yet. Thus far, I've read LRB 2007; I like a number of its provisions. I have to read LRB 2027 and 2033 yet.
Why don't they have a merged bill for true Alaska (et al) Carry?
A Vermont Carry bill sounds so "pure" but limits reciprocity, if folks don't want the paper and the ability to cross state lines without giving money to Florida or Utah, they shouldn't get it, but they should push for a bill that gives that option along with no permit required in state.
I guess I don't see the legislative thinking on this one.